Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Woburn, MA: $54,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Woburn, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,858 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woburn's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,560 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($74,650) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the school counseling field in Woburn, Massachusetts, the starting pay is projected to be $54,858 in 2026, which is a key entry point for recently licensed professionals. This starting school counselor salary in Woburn is lower than the median annual salary of $74,650 for all school counselors in the area, reflecting the typical earnings progression for new counselors. As early-career professionals gain experience over the first three to five years, they can realistically expect salary increases towards the P25 level of $58,921, thus closing the gap with the median. Overall, Woburn’s market provides promising opportunities for new grads entering this profession, particularly in light of the recent emphasis on mental health support in schools.
About the Woburn Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woburn
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woburn
Entry-level school counselors in Woburn, MA typically start between $54,858 and $58,921 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $60,849 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $74,650 — 16.03% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Massachusetts of $75,000 represents just 136.72% of the starting school counselor pay ($54,858/year) in Woburn. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CACREP-accredited master's programs in school counseling. In-state public institutions are the lowest-cost option; private universities carry higher tuition. Totals reflect tuition and required fees; practicum and internship hours are typically unpaid and add opportunity cost. State licensure requirements may mandate additional coursework.
SC, LSC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Woburn
- 1Research the Woburn market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $54,858 to $58,921, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the school counseling field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Woburn, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Woburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woburn's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
School Counselor Compensation Range
The school counselor wage spread in Woburn is $60,849 ( 110.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,858, experienced hygienists can earn up to $115,707.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,051
2025 BLS Actual
$53,756
2026 Current Est.
$54,858
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Woburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,051 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,532 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,708 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,065 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,756 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,983 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Woburn, MA grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,051 in 2019 to $53,756 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,983. New graduates entering the Woburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your school counseling Career in Woburn
The hiring landscape for entry-level school counselors in Woburn primarily comprises public school districts that typically utilize a step-and-lane pay structure aligned with educational qualifications and experience. New master's-level school counselors often begin in these districts, which value the state-certified individuals who possess a Master’s degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program. In addition, continuing education such as obtaining National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification can offer pathways for increased pay. Given the high counselor-to-student ratio, which presently exceeds the recommended 1:250, increased mental health funding has expanded hiring. Entry-level salaries may grow steadily within the K-12 structure, allowing new hires to expect upward mobility as they settle into their roles over the initial years. With careful planning and professional development, many new graduates in Woburn can advance past their starting pay and find fulfilling careers with competitive compensation in the school counseling sector.
More salary data for Woburn, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new school counseling graduates. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Woburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woburn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov